Air movement system and method

ABSTRACT

An air movement system and methods for moving air within a building structure to effect, for example, drying of newly poured sub-grades, drying building materials due to water leakage (e.g., rain, flood) and generally improving air quality within such structures. The system includes a plurality of fans operatively coupled to a power generator, all of which is readily set-up and repositionable. A primary unit having at least two fans mounted on a trailer via bases, and the power generator provides transportability and mobility and preferably includes a mounting hitch to allow towing. The fan bases preferably have both a horizontal axis, for controlling the pitch/tilt of the fan, and a vertical axis, for adjusting the directional air flow from the fan. The axes allow air flow about 360 degrees in a horizontal plane and at a range of angles above and below that horizontal plane.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the filing priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/069,026, filed Oct. 27, 2014, and titled “Air Movement System.” The entirety of the '026 provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for moving air in building structures, particularly large open-space structures such as warehouses, pole-barns, and new constructions. Most specifically, the inventive system and methods relate to moving air in building structures to (1) help dry wet sub-grades, (2) reduce moisture, and (3) reduce harmful gas/vapor levels, e.g., CO₂ (carbon dioxide), during and after construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In most any large building structure, such as a warehouse, barn, storage facility, large manufacturing plant, or the like, an early construction step involves pouring concrete or cement. Where the pouring is several tens of thousands square footage, drying or curing of the material can take a very long time, especially anywhere humidity is a factor. Further, harmful fumes or vapors and even dust can create aggravating conditions for workers in closed structures.

The air movement or drying systems currently being used involve several large stationary fans being set up, each with a small dedicated generator. The fans require frequent manual relocation from one area to the next for the air movement to properly reach all areas of any large building structure. The manual labor involved in set up and frequent movement of these systems significantly increases their cost. These ad hoc systems are just not designed for easy transportability or frequent mobility. Additionally, where multiple fans are used, they are not connectable to a single power source.

The present invention addresses and solves these and other problems associated with air movement in building structures. By providing a system which can be quickly set up and readily moved about, the present invention reduces drying times, costs and energy requirements and improves air quality wherever needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein a unique air movement system as well as methods for effectively moving air within a building structure to effect, for example, drying of newly poured sub-grades, drying building materials due to water leakage (e.g., rain, flood) and generally improving air quality within such structures. Generally speaking, the air movement system is comprised of a plurality of large fans operatively coupled to a single power generator, all of which is readily set-up and repositioned, as needed. The disclosed embodiments incorporate unique advantages to provide methods, systems, and devices for extensive air movement.

In a basic embodiment, the air movement system comprises a primary unit having at least two large fans mounted on a trailer via double-axis bases, and a singular power generator. The trailer is wheeled for transportability and mobility and preferably includes a mounting hitch to allow connection to a vehicle for towing to and from construction areas. The fan bases preferably have both a horizontal axis, for controlling the pitch/tilt of the fan, and a vertical axis, for adjusting the directional air flow from the fan. The axes allow positioning air flow about 360 degrees in a horizontal plane and at a significant range of angles above and below that horizontal plane.

In a specific embodiment of the air movement system, the power source of the primary unit is comprised of a 25 Kw generator mounted on the trailer surface. Two 48 inch axial fans are preferably mounted on either side of the generator and connected, via electric cable, directly to the generator. The use of the dual fans allows the system to create useful turbulent air flow from a single location of the building.

Furthermore, secondary and tertiary units may be employed for very large facilities. The secondary and tertiary units preferably include at least one and most preferably two axial fans mounted to double-axis bases and secured to a transportable trailer surface. These units can be positioned proximate enough to the primary unit to operate from the same power source using long power cables. However, they can also be positioned far enough from the primary unit to further increase effectiveness of the turbulent air flow within the building structure.

In an embodiment of the disclosed method, the described primary unit and at least one secondary unit are positioned within a building structure. The air flow direction of each fan is set, via operation of the dual-axis fan bases, and the fans are electrically coupled to the power generator. Operation of the generator is started to begin the air movement process. Occasional repositioning of the units, by moving the mobile trailers, and redirecting of the fans, by changing the base pivot axes, can be done quickly and easily.

As necessary, a tertiary unit can be added to the system to further increase the drying and air movement effectiveness of the system and methods.

These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For purposes of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of an air movement system showing a primary, secondary and tertiary unit all connected to the single power source;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of an axial fan used in the disclosed air movement system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the axial fan of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the axial fan of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of a primary unit in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the air movement system illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail at least on preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any of the specific embodiments illustrated.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, embodiments of an air movement system are shown and referenced using the numeral 10. The air movement system 10 is comprised of a transportable primary unit 12 having a deck surface 14, fans 16, and power generator 18. The deck surface 14 is most easily provided by a wheeled flatbed trailer, which is capable of being coupled to a motor vehicle (not shown) and transported to and from, e.g., construction sites. The deck surface 14 should be wide enough and long enough to adequately position and secure the fans 16 and the power generator 18. While other configurations may work, positioning the fans 16 at opposing ends of the deck surface 14 and the power generator 18 positioned at the center is a preferred arrangement. Such an arrangement provides spacing between the fans and gives each equidistant access to the generator.

The preferred generator 18 is a 25 Kw (25,000 watt) generator capable of running a plurality of (at least four) 48-inch axial fans. However, adjusting the quantity and size of the fans could require a larger generator (e.g., 50 Kw, 70 Kw) or allow for use of a smaller generator (e.g., 22 Kw, 15 Kw). With respect to the fans, the preferred size is a 48-inch axial fan with a 3 HP, three-phase, 208 volt motor. Each 48-inch axial fan is capable of moving air at a rate of about 27,000 cubic feet per minute (cfm). Again, larger or smaller fans may be suitable for other applications. Such determinations on both the generator size and fan size may depend largely on the size of the building structure and the extent of drying/air movement desired. This preferred system 10 is intended to move the air in large buildings (i.e., greater than 25,000 sf) to help dry wet subgrades during the construction process. The ultimate goal is to provide construction sites with an air movement system that considerably reduces the drying time of wet sub grades, circulates the air in the building to reduce moisture, and CO₂ levels.

Each of the fans 16 is secured to the deck surface 14 via a dual pivot base 20. A bottom section 22 of the base 20 is bolted, welded or otherwise secured to the deck surface 14, while a vertical axis (Y) pivoting section 24 provides 360 degree manual rotation of the attached fan 16. Once positioned with the desired air flow direction, the pivoting section 24 may be locked in place to prevent continued and unintended rotation. Further, a horizontal axis (X) pivot may be provided at the fan sides 26 to allow tilting (up or down) of the fan 16, as necessary. The horizontal axis pivot may be eliminated for specific applications, if desired, as the approximate 360 degree capability of each fan may be sufficient in most cases.

In subsequent embodiments of the system 10, a secondary unit 30 and a tertiary unit 40 may be added. Each unit 30 and 40 is similar to primary unit 12, except there is no generator mounted to the deck surface of the mobile trailer. That is, the secondary unit 30 preferably includes third and fourth fans mounted, via bases, to the deck surface, and tertiary unit 40 preferably includes fifth and sixth fans mounted, via bases, to the deck surface. The fans of these units include much longer electrical cables 28 to electrically connect to the power generator 18 of the primary unit 12.

In use, the primary unit 12 may be driven into the building structure and positioned in a desired location. Each of the two fans can be rotated about the vertical axis (Y) pivot to face the desired direction for air movement then locked into position. Likewise, if an upward or downward angle of air flow is desired, the fans may be pivoted about the horizontal (X) axis and then locked into position. The electrical cable 28 for each fan 16 is then connected to the proper outlet of the power generator 18.

If secondary unit 30 and/or tertiary unit 40 are being used, each unit can be driven into the building structure and positioned at a desired location. The fans of the additional units can then be positioned directionally to create the desired air flow. The longer electrical cables 28 of the additional fans can be extended to connect to the proper outlets of the power generator 18 on primary unit 12. Once all fans from all units are connected, the power generator 18 can be switched on to power the fans.

Relocating the units and/or repositioning the directional air flow of fans may be accomplished easily when the system 10 is powered down. The system 10 can remain powered on until the construction area is sufficiently dried or cleared of fumes, moisture or the like. With an air movement of about 54,000 cfm per unit (assuming two fans per unit), a two unit system (primary unit 12 and secondary unit 30) can move 108,000 cfm, while the three unit system (adding tertiary unit 40) can move 162,000 cfm of air, all from a single power source and with faster set up and greater mobility.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and is not intended to be limiting. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing form the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile air movement system comprising: a primary unit comprising a transportable platform configured to be secured to a vehicle and positioned within a building structure; a power generator secured to the platform; and a first fan adjustably attached to a first base and a second fan adjustably attached to a second base, wherein both the first and second bases are secured to the platform and the first and second fans are electrically coupled to the power generator; wherein the first and second bases each have a vertical pivot perpendicular to the platform to allow rotation of the fans and a horizontal pivot parallel to the platform to allow tilting of the fans.
 2. The mobile air movement system of claim 1, further comprising a secondary unit comprising a second transportable platform configured to be secured to a vehicle and positioned proximate the primary unit.
 3. The mobile air movement system of claim 2, wherein the secondary unit further comprises at least a third fan adjustably attached to a third base, wherein the third base is secured to the second platform and the third fan is electrically connectable to the power generator.
 4. The mobile air movement system of claim 3, wherein the third base has a vertical pivot perpendicular to the second platform to allow rotation of the third fan and a horizontal pivot parallel to the second platform to allow tilting of the third fan.
 5. The mobile air movement system of claim 3, wherein the secondary unit comprises a fourth fan adjustably attached to a fourth base, wherein the fourth base is secured to the second platform and the fourth fan is electrically connectable to the power generator.
 6. The mobile air movement system of claim 2, further comprising a tertiary unit comprising a third transportable platform configured to be secured to a vehicle and positioned proximate the primary unit.
 7. The mobile air movement system of claim 6, wherein the tertiary unit further comprises at least a fifth fan adjustably attached to a fifth base, wherein the fifth base is secured to the third platform and the fifth fan is electrically connectable to the power generator.
 8. The mobile air movement system of claim 7, wherein the fifth base has a vertical pivot perpendicular to the third platform to allow rotation of the fifth fan and a horizontal pivot parallel to the third platform to allow tilting of the fifth fan.
 9. The mobile air movement system of claim 7, wherein the tertiary unit comprises a sixth fan adjustably attached to a sixth base, wherein the sixth base is secured to the third platform and the sixth fan is electrically connectable to the power generator.
 10. A method for moving air within an open-space building structure comprising the steps of: positioning a primary unit within the open-space building structure, the primary unit comprising a transportable platform, a power generator secured to the platform, and a first fan adjustably attached to a first base and a second fan adjustably attached to a second base, wherein both the first and second bases are secured to the platform and the first and second fans are electrically coupled to the power generator, wherein the first and second bases each have a vertical pivot perpendicular to the platform to allow rotation of the fans and a horizontal pivot parallel to the platform to allow tilting of the fans; positioning a secondary unit proximate the primary unit, the secondary unit comprising a second transportable platform, at least a third fan adjustably attached to a third base, wherein the third base is secured to the second platform and the third fan is electrically connectable to the power generator, the third base having a vertical pivot perpendicular to the second platform to allow rotation of the third fan and a horizontal pivot parallel to the second platform to allow tilting of the third fan; connecting the first fan, second fan and at least a third fan to the power generator; setting an air flow direction for each fan by manipulating the vertical and horizontal pivots for each fan base; and operating the power generator to power the fans.
 11. The method for moving air as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: positioning a tertiary unit proximate the primary unit, the tertiary unit comprising a third transportable platform, at least a fifth fan adjustably attached to a fifth base, wherein the fifth base is secured to the third platform and the fifth fan is electrically connectable to the power generator, the fifth base having a vertical pivot perpendicular to the third platform to allow rotation of the fifth fan and a horizontal pivot parallel to the third platform to allow tilting of the fifth fan; and connecting the at least a fifth fan to the power generator; setting an air flow direction for the at least fifth fan by manipulating the vertical and horizontal pivots for the fan base; and operating the power generator to power the at least fifth fan.
 12. The method for moving air as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the step of periodically resetting the air flow direction for each fan. 